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BLOCK COPOLYMERS. Non-polluting polyurethane aqueous dispersions, with 40% of solids content, were synthesized based on block copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(propylene glycol) (PEG-b-PPG), with PEG hydrophilic segments content of 7 and 25%, poly(propylene glycol) (PPG), dimethylolpropionic acid (DMPA), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), and hydrazine. Different formulations were synthesized by varying the equivalent-grams ratios between isocyanate and hydroxyl groups (NCO/OH) and PPG and (PEG-b-PPG). The presence of high amounts of PEG in the formulations provoked the formation of gels. Average particle size and viscosity of the dispersions were determined. Mechanical properties and water absorption resistance of cast films were evaluated.

Achyrobichalcone is a biflavonoid recently found in Achyrocline satureioides. This substance has unprecedented chemical structure and occurrence, but resembles other bioactive bichalcones, which have important pharmacological properties, such as anticancer activity. The major challenge for evaluation of the physicochemical and biological properties of this new molecule is the isolation step, which affects the purity and yield of the isolated product. Thus, the objective of this work was to develop a semi-preparative method for achyrobichalcone isolation from Achyrocline satureioides by high-speed countercurrent chromatography. The high-speed countercurrent chromatography separation was achieved in two steps. In the first step, an enriched fraction of achyrobichalcone from the freeze-dried extract was obtained, using the solvent system hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water 0.8:1:0.8:1, v/v. The purification of achyrobichalcone from the enriched fractions was achieved by further high-speed countercurrent chromatography fractionation with hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water 0.9:0.9:0.8:1, v/v. The final isolated product was obtained using preparative thin layer chromatography and crystallization procedure. A yellow semi-crystalline solid with purity close to 90% was obtained as the final product. The mass recovery of achyrobichalcone isolation was near 67%. The structural identification from spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques confirmed the achyrobichalcone structure. This is the first report of achyrobichalcone isolation on a semi-preparative scale by high-speed countercurrent chromatography. This method afforded achyrobichalcone in good yield and purity for further biopharmaceutical studies.

Objective: To detect antimicrobial drug-related problems (DRP) in adult patients undergoing renal dialysis in a university hospital. Methods: This is an observational and retrospective study in which were included patients hospitalized in antimicrobial therapy and submitted to renal replacement therapy (RRT) from January to August 2017. The study variables were collected on the first day that antimicrobial was administraded and hemodialysis was done. The Dáder Methodology was used to detect and classify the DRP and probable negative outcomes associated with medications (NOMs). Results: 85 patients were included, 62.4% (n=53) male, mean age 61.2 ± 15.2 years. An average of 2.6 ± 1.6 different antimicrobials prescribed per patient was observed, being the main class carbapenems (13.7%) and the main reason for antimicrobial use was sepsis (34.1%). The main DRPs found were: prescription error (45.1%), Y incompatibility (14.0%) and inadequate dosage (12.1%), median 6.0 (4-11) DRP per patient, minimum:1 and maximum:32. Regarding NOMs, the most frequent were quantitative insecurity (50.6%), non-quantitative insecurity (19.9%) and quantitative ineffectiveness (19.0%). Conclusions: All patients undergoing dialysis and antimicrobial therapy included in this study had at least one problem related to antimicrobial drugs and, therefore, one probable NOM. It was verified the need of a multiprofessional team working on the detection and prevention of avoidable problems, through the implantation of computerized systems, continuing education program, protocols and routines, allied with an institutional antimicrobial stewardship program.